No, I'm not referring to his latest seriously misguided haircut but his football abilities. When Rio first emerged, fully born, into the West Ham first team, having served his time in the reserve and youth teams he was a ball playing central midfielder of some repute. I've told the story of Euro 96 before so I won't bore you with it, but this was the player who was going to lead the defence, possibly captain, England for the next ten or so years.
Have you seen him play lately, he's developed into the Ray Wilkins of the Manchester United back four - he goes sideways and back so often it's like watching crab football. Where are the forward runs, the fifty yard passes with the outside of the boot, where's the flair gone?
One thing Rio is often criticised about is his lack of concentration, is it any wonder - he has a footballing brain that is being underused. Playing at centre back is the football equivalent of playing in the front rows in Rugby, it's for the terminally stupid who like a bit of physical contact but don't know why - Moore (both Bobby and Brian), Hansen and Lawrenson being honourable exceptions - the only person who is further back in the formation is the goalkeeper and we know they have brains of melted cheese.
I reckon Alex Ferguson doesn't trust him, which is a shame because Rio has moved for nearly £50 million in two transfers from West Ham-Leeds-Manchester Utd in the pursuit of 'winning something' and I don't believe he had the most one sided League Cup final ever in mind when he said that.
Still, West Ham have a recent (ish) habit of signing and then selling centre-backs who want to go on and win things: Marc Reiper (Celtic), Slaven Bilic (Everton) are two examples who left and won diddly at their new clubs, the only one who did go and win something was Tony Gale who was part of Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn side and he was at the end of his career anyway and had played 300 odd games for West Ham.
So come on Sir Alex, let Anton's older brother roam wild and free through the midfield and beyond.
3 comments:
Paul there was an article in the Sunday Times today (yes I know it's a capitalist rag).Saying Rio adores P. Diddy and wants to be a rap artist ! Lol
Hi Curmy, see that proves he has too much time on his hands - bestriding the Old Trafford turf between penalty spot and centre circle wishing his was astride a Harley Davidson singing about his long lost buddies.
It's all those drugs he hasn't been taking!
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